Latest market data

Stock search

Women may be the minority in the franchising world, but whether
they are breaking into existing industries or franchising their
own companies, many of them are paving the way for others to do
the same.

“Women are amazing executers and we’re also amazing
collaborators. If done correctly, franchising is an amazing
community of collaboration,” says 20-year franchise industry
veteran Nancy Bigley, the CEO and co-owner of Bottle & Bottega, an art instruction
franchise. “You’re coming into a family. That’s super
attractive to women, who always want to be a part of something
bigger.”

While the latest figures on the gender breakdown in franchising
are from 2007, they paint a telling picture of the course
franchising has taken. In 2007, nearly 21 percent of franchises
were owned by women, down 18 percent from 2002, according to a
survey by the International Franchise
Association. While it may seem like the pool of women in
franchising is shrinking, that's not the case. Because the
number of franchises co-owned by male and female partners
surged 43 percent over the same time, the net result is that
the number of franchises with a female owner actually
increased to 45 percent from 42 percent over a period of five
years.

For many of these women, the franchising community has proven to
be one that breeds openness and mentorship.
“I hear people all the time say ‘do you mind if I call you and
ask you some questions?'” says Bigley. “The response is always
‘absolutely.’”

The openness is, in many ways built into the structure of
franchising. While most small-business owners function primarily
alone, franchisees are provided with the built-in community of
the wider franchising industry as well as other franchisees.

“You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself,” says
Debbie Blacher, founder of Wholesome Tummies, a franchise that
provides children with healthy lunches in schools. Franchisees
have the unique opportunity to start a business with access to
the experiences of a network of individuals going through
remarkably similar processes.

In the case of emerging franchises, relationships between
franchisees are especially critical to success. Wholesome Tummies
provides franchisees with an online community chat to discuss
challenges and successes. Mainstream Boutique, a franchised apparel
retailer, encourages franchisees to partner with other
successful franchisees, to create a mentorship and model for
their own business.

“Because women in general are collaborative and want to create
win-win relationships, we make wonderful franchisors,” says
Stephanie Allen, co-founder of Dream Dinners, a meal-preparation service
geared toward busy parents. “But, being a franchisor is
completely different than starting and building your own
business; you are not in control of your baby.”

Many women also saw franchising as uniquely suited for women as
it provides control and flexibility.

“The franchise model is appealing to women who are in search of
the financial security and flexibility that is becoming
increasingly difficult to attain in the corporate world,” says Jo
Kirchner, CEO of Primrose Schools, an education-focused
daycare franchise. “Almost all of our owners say that spending
more time with their families and finding a more rewarding
career are the driving factors for investing in a childcare
franchise.”

While running a franchise is time intensive, it allows
entrepreneurs to structure their time to fit their needs.
“Franchising allowed me to create a system and manage it from my
corporate office,” says Anna Phillips, founder of eyelash salon
franchise The Lash Lounge and mother of two.

Further, franchises allow female entrepreneurs to pursue their
passions. Whether franchising preexisting businesses or becoming
franchisees, women in franchising reported being drawn first to
their product. “You need to look at what you are passionate
about, and maybe that is where you first start,” says Moran Family of Brands CEO Barbara
Moran-Goodrich. Moran Family of Brands runs several franchised
auto-related businesses.

Industry veterans report that women are joining the franchise
industry increasingly in labors of love. Nancy Bigley, who was a
senior director of operations at Dunkin’ Brands and regional
manager for The Dwyer Group before co-founding Bottle &
Bottega, says that she sees women entering franchising by
starting businesses in untapped markets. Bigley’s own Bottle
& Bottega allows individuals of all levels of artistic talent
to enjoy a guided painting session and wine. Her business partner
Stephanie King-Myers launched the company in 2009 after her own
experience teaching a non-artistic friend how to paint while they
shared some wine.

Lynn Tomms, a recent Pure Barre studio franchisee, described
her and her business partner as "Pure Barre addicts,” prior to
getting into the franchise. While the company’s business
structure and franchising formula was critical in Tomms'
decision to open her own franchise, the initial draw was her
own enjoyment of the Pure Barre workout.

More than anything, women in franchising advise other women not
to be limited by stereotypes. “You want to look at all the
different options and don’t limit yourself because you think, oh
that’s something for men to do, or that’s something that only
married people do together,” advises Moran-Goodrich, who has
mentored women across the industry. “Women know just as much
about vehicles as men do. Women have the ability to be empathetic
and understanding… and they’re less likely to be trying to do
everything on their own.”